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Knowing when to test your hearing is essential if you want to look after your ears. But don’t worry, it’s not an unpleasant experience. In fact, it can be rather enjoyable and can take a load off your mind if you’re wondering about your hearing.
When it comes to hearing loss, changes develop gradually over time. Many people lose parts of their sense of hearing without realising how much they’re missing.
The good news is that if you know the signs to look for, you can determine whether you need a hearing test pretty quickly. Here’s what to look out for:
Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
Asking people to repeat themselves often is one of the main signs you need a hearing test. While saying “what” and “pardon” occasionally is perfectly normal, if you’re doing it more often than you used to, then it could indicate the need for a hearing test in Bundaberg.
Difficulty following conversation
On a related note, you may be finding it harder to follow conversations. Many people with hearing loss experience challenges with directional hearing or focusing on sound coming from a specific location. This issue is particularly prominent in noisy conversations, where you need to focus on the person right in front of you. You may find yourself relying on their expressions or lip cues more than you’d like.
Turning up the television and radio higher than before
Turning up the television or radio higher is another sign your hearing may not be as good as it used to be. For example, if your previous setting was 32 but now you can only hear the TV at 40, then it’s good evidence that you may need to go for a hearing test.
Feeling that people are mumbling
Feeling that people are mumbling is also a sign that you may have issues with your hearing. When hearing loss occurs, it can affect sounds in certain pitch ranges, leading to the impression that people aren’t pronouncing their words properly.
Difficulty hearing on the phone
Hearing what someone is saying on the phone is also challenging with hearing loss. Many phones come with a maximum volume that cannot be increased further. For people with normal hearing, these volume levels are perfectly sufficient, but if you’re hard of hearing, they can make it difficult to hear what the person on the other end is saying.
Missing doorbells, alarms or other everyday sounds
Another sign of hearing loss is missing doorbells, alarms, and other everyday sounds in your environment. For example, you may be wondering why the birds have stopped singing or why people keep texting you to say they’re at the front door.
It’s worth noting that being unable to hear alarms is actually a safety issue. If the fire alarm or carbon monoxide alarm goes off in your home and you don’t hear it, you could be putting yourself at risk.
Family/friends noticing hearing changes first
Family and friends often notice changes in your hearing first and point it out. For example, they may say things like, “Your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be,” or “Have you noticed a change in your hearing?”
If they make comments like this, it’s usually a sign a trip to the audiologist is warranted.
Tinnitus or noticeable changes in hearing
Tinnitus and other noticeable hearing changes are another time when you should go for a hearing test. Many people develop tinnitus after prolonged hearing loss. Researchers believe it is a way for the brain to fill in missing sounds that it believes should be there. Other noticeable hearing changes, such as sudden deafness, need to be checked out quickly to keep you safe.
A history of workplace, machinery, music or recreational noise exposure
Lastly, if you have a history of workplace machinery, music, or recreational noise exposure, go to the audiologist to get your hearing checked as a matter of course. Many people in the DJ profession or who have worked all their lives on busy construction sites can experience hearing health issues later in life.
Should You Have Your Hearing Checked Even If You Haven’t Noticed a Problem?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to establish your hearing baseline and monitor changes to your hearing over time. Most people will experience some sort of hearing loss throughout their lives, so putting a plan in place is well worth it. It allows you to catch issues early.
What happens next?
If you think you might have hearing loss, professional hearing testing can identify the issue and determine appropriate next steps. Explore your hearing testing and funding options today.
